logo
New mural at Dodger Stadium honors Fernando Valenzuela

New mural at Dodger Stadium honors Fernando Valenzuela

Nine months after his death, Fernando Valenzuela stands immortalized in a new mural on the loge‑level wall at Dodger Stadium—a vibrant fusion of art and legacy unveiled Saturday.
Painted by Mexican American artist Robert Vargas, the mural shows Valenzuela tipping his cap to the sky in a Dodgers Mexican‑heritage jersey — featuring a green sleeve, red sleeve, white center — alongside two striking images of Valenzuela in his pitching stance. Vargas said the mural is meant to symbolize unity within the Latino community.
'I felt it very important to show that the Latino community has a place within these walls and has had a place within these walls,' Vargas said.
He wanted to reflect Valenzuela's spirit that still lives in the hearts of many fans and feature the man behind the player.
'What he did in the community, is what resonates so much more for me than just the player — but the man, the person that he was,' Vargas said.
Valenzuela played for the Dodgers from 1980-90. He grew up in Etchohuaquila, a small town in Mexico, and took Major League Baseball by storm in 1981, earning rookie of the year and Cy Young honors. Latino fans who previously felt little connection to the Dodgers were thrilled to see one of their own winning, sparking Fernandomania. Valenzuela wore the No. 34 and it remains a popular jersey worn by fans at Dodger Stadium.
Claudio Campo choked up as he gazed at the tribute. Traveling from Phoenix with his son to celebrate the boy's 11th birthday, Campo shared memories of a player whose greatness felt deeply personal. Valenzuela's nickname, 'El Toro,' are inked on Campo's left arm.
'He was a staple for the people that didn't have anything and then where he came from showed that anything is possible if you go ahead and revive what you are,' Claudio said.
Fans holding Valenzuela bobbleheads given away by the Dodgers took their pictures in front of the new mural Saturday night.
Longtime fan Dulce Gonzalez held back emotion as she showed off her shirt with the name 'Valenzuela' written across it, describing the reason she started watching baseball.
'He was the first Latino player I could truly connect with and be proud of,' she said.
For Gonzalez, Valenzuela's story resonated because he came from the same roots, offering representation she had longed for.
'We are a melting pot of races here, people love baseball from all races, but because I am Latina, I feel a little bit more connected,' she said.
Her son, Nicolas, dressed in a red and green Dodgers Mexican heritage jersey, said Valenzuela helped heal some wounds after Mexican American families were displaced from their homes in Chavez Ravine shortly before Dodger Stadium was built on the same land.
'He really opened the city up to the Dodgers after a long difficult entry and he really represented triumph over adversity,' Nicolas said.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Dodgers to Consider Reunion With Playoff Hero: Report
Dodgers to Consider Reunion With Playoff Hero: Report

Newsweek

timean hour ago

  • Newsweek

Dodgers to Consider Reunion With Playoff Hero: Report

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. As the Dodgers search the trade market for relief help, a member of their World Series-winning bullpen is reportedly set to throw for the team. Free agent Joe Kelly was a postseason hero for the Boston Red Sox in 2018 when they beat the Dodgers in the World Series, then for the Dodgers when they defeated the Tampa Bay Rays for the 2020 championship. More news: Yankees Make Trade, Acquire All-Star Third Baseman: Reports Although Kelly finished last season on the Dodgers' injured list, and has yet to sign a new contract for 2025, he never formally announced his retirement. Now 37, Kelly is set to throw for the Dodgers — a necessary step if the reliever were to reunite with the team that signed him twice in the last six years, and traded for him at the 2023 deadline. Matt Beaty #45 of the Los Angeles Dodgers catches a pop fly in front of the mound alongside Joe Kelly #17 in the seventh inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on... Matt Beaty #45 of the Los Angeles Dodgers catches a pop fly in front of the mound alongside Joe Kelly #17 in the seventh inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on May 18, 2019 in Cincinnati. More"If I come back healthy, I'm only playing for one team, and that's the Dodgers," Kelly told Foul Territory in June. Joe Kelly: "If I come back healthy, I'm only playing for one team, and that's the Dodgers." — Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) June 25, 2025 Kelly broke in with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2012 before his time with the Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox and two separate stints in Dodger blue. Through 2024, Kelly had pitched 13 seasons, going 54–38 with a 3.98 ERA over 839 innings, and 767 strikeouts against 355 walks. More news: Mariners Make Blockbuster Trade, Acquire Infielder From Diamondbacks Kelly saved his best work for October. He won two World Series rings from his time with L.A. (2020, 2024) plus another with Boston in 2018. Kelly appeared in all five World Series games in 2018 without allowing a run and striking out six batters in 10 innings for the Red Sox. In 2020, he made five postseason appearances for the Dodgers, totaling 3.2 innings, and didn't allow a run in four of them. More news: Former Yankees Hitting Coach Destroys A-Rod's Critique of Anthony Volpe Since 2016, when he focused on relieving full-time, Kelly is 4-2 with a 3.23 ERA in 30 postseason games, with nine walks and 32 strikeouts in 30.2 innings. The Dodgers could use more swing-and-miss stuff from a bullpen that has lost most of its high-leverage relievers to injuries in 2025. More news: Veteran Pitcher Announces Sudden Retirement From Baseball Blake Treinen, Michael Kopech and Brusdar Graterol have spent most or all of the season on the injured list. They were recently joined by Tanner Scott (elbow). Kirby Yates, who signed a $13 million contract with the Dodgers in December, has a 6.00 ERA in eight July appearances. The Dodgers have room in their bullpen for Kelly. The only question is whether his command, control, and velocity is up to standard. It seems the Dodgers will find out soon. For more MLB news, visit Newsweek Sports.

MLB games today: Schedule, times, how to watch for July 27
MLB games today: Schedule, times, how to watch for July 27

USA Today

time8 hours ago

  • USA Today

MLB games today: Schedule, times, how to watch for July 27

Here is the full Major League Baseball schedule for July 27 and how to watch all the games. Or see our sortable MLB schedule to filter by team or division. MLB schedule today All times Eastern and accurate as of Sunday, July 27, 2025, at 4:40 a.m. Watch MLB games all season long with Fubo (free trial). MLB scores, results MLB scores for July 27 games are available on Here's how to access today's results: See scores, results for all the games listed above. See MLB Scores, results from July 26

Red Sox and Dodgers meet to decide series winner
Red Sox and Dodgers meet to decide series winner

Yahoo

time8 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Red Sox and Dodgers meet to decide series winner

Los Angeles Dodgers (61-44, first in the NL West) vs. Boston Red Sox (56-50, third in the AL East) Boston; Sunday, 1:35 p.m. EDT PITCHING PROBABLES: Dodgers: Dustin May (6-6, 4.73 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 92 strikeouts); Red Sox: Walker Buehler (6-6, 5.72 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, 67 strikeouts) BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Dodgers -134, Red Sox +112; over/under is 10 1/2 runs BOTTOM LINE: The Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers play on Sunday with the winner claiming the three-game series. Boston has a 33-21 record in home games and a 56-50 record overall. Red Sox hitters are batting a collective .252, the ninth-best team batting average in MLB play. Los Angeles has a 26-23 record on the road and a 61-44 record overall. The Dodgers have a 48-10 record in games when they scored at least five runs. Sunday's game is the third time these teams meet this season. TOP PERFORMERS: Jarren Duran has 26 doubles, 12 triples, nine home runs and 55 RBIs for the Red Sox. Carlos Narvaez is 7 for 36 with four doubles, two home runs and four RBIs over the last 10 games. Will Smith has 16 doubles, a triple, 14 home runs and 48 RBIs for the Dodgers. Shohei Ohtani is 9 for 40 with six home runs over the past 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Red Sox: 5-5, .207 batting average, 3.03 ERA, outscored by four runs Dodgers: 5-5, .228 batting average, 3.36 ERA, outscored opponents by two runs INJURIES: Red Sox: Marcelo Mayer: 10-Day IL (wrist), Hunter Dobbins: 15-Day IL (acl), Nick Burdi: 60-Day IL (knee), Liam Hendriks: 60-Day IL (hip), Zack Kelly: 15-Day IL (oblique), Justin Slaten: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Luis Guerrero: 15-Day IL (elbow), Josh Winckowski: 60-Day IL (elbow), Triston Casas: 60-Day IL (knee), Kutter Crawford: 60-Day IL (knee), Tanner Houck: 15-Day IL (flexor), Patrick Sandoval: 60-Day IL (elbow) Dodgers: Tanner Scott: 15-Day IL (elbow), Michael Kopech: 60-Day IL (knee), Kike Hernandez: 10-Day IL (elbow), Max Muncy: 10-Day IL (knee), Roki Sasaki: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Tony Gonsolin: 60-Day IL (elbow), Evan Phillips: 60-Day IL (forearm), Blake Snell: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Blake Treinen: 60-Day IL (forearm), Kyle Hurt: 60-Day IL (elbow), Michael Grove: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Brusdar Graterol: 60-Day IL (shoulder), River Ryan: 60-Day IL (elbow), Gavin Stone: 60-Day IL (shoulder) ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store